Monique Coleman - October 9, 2006

Here are some of the highlights from the Interview.

Tommy: You’ve recently been introduced to a new audience through ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. How did that opportunity come up?

Monique Coleman: Um, they were interested in having someone from High School Musical be a part of the cast this year and ugh they offered it to two other cast members first who were both, had other obligations and career moves that were a part of their path and I talked to one of them and they said ya know, maybe you should call them because I think that you’d be great and I really had the support of my cast behind me pushing me to say, ya know Monique I think that this would be a great move and I love the show so much, and have watched it ya know every season and have been a huge fan of it and never really put myself in the mindset that I was even considered a celebrity. And I wasn’t at the time and so I very strongly pursued it.

Tommy: It seemed like week number two is where you really came on strong with your performance to Bop To The Top. Did doing a song from High School Musical really help you relax and feel comfortable?

Monique Coleman: Yes, it did. Doing Bop To The Top… I just felt like I needed to bring a part, something that was really close to me to the table. And having Lucas and Ashley and Corbin there to support me just reminded me that no matter what happens on this show or ever that I have not only walked away ya know, knowing some of the most talented people but that those people are also my friends.

Tommy: Yeah, I bet a lot of people were surprised when that happened cause when I heard it I was totally getting into it.

Monique Coleman: It was very, it was something that was really important for me to have that song in there because I was like, it is a perfect Mambo. And I didn’t know what it was, I just knew that it was a Latin song and I gave it to my partner and said whatever dance this is, I want to do whatever dance can fit to Bop To The Top because I want the people out there to know I didn’t leave them for something else, but instead I’m trying to take them with me.

Tommy: I know you also had a chance to sign some autographs and teach some fans the Wildcat Dance in Chicago recently as well. Was that a lot of fun?

Monique Coleman: That was a blast! What that did for me was… I really feel very much, I’m very supportive of the other cast members and I think sometimes because of that I kinda take a backseat and just sorta let them do their thing because I’m so proud of them and so proud of what we’ve accomplished together and going to Chicago was the first time I’d ever made an appearance by myself and I was to be honest, I was very nervous because in my mind I thought ‘oh no, I’m not Ashley Tisdale’ I don’t know if there gonna ya know people are going to show up as much. I know I’m a member of this cast but ya know I didn’t really consider myself a forerunner the way that I do the other cast members and it was an eye opening experience and honestly I had the very best time. And it felt so good to know that people weren’t just there because someone from High School Musical was there but that they were really there to support me specifically as well and it just was really touching.